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FELA regulations govern liability for injuries sustained by employees in the railroad industry. The FELA, or Federal Employers Liability Act, was passed by the U.S. congress in 1908 in order to protect workers from the dangers inherent to the railroad industry. FELA regulations have remained virtually unchanged since they were first enacted, though several bills have passed through Congress in the last century in an attempt to modify or repeal FELA regulations.
FELA regulations not only provide a method of relief for injured railroad workers, they also create a uniform liability standard that encourages stringent safety standards to protect railroad workers. FELA regulations act as the railroad industry’s version of worker’s compensation regulations, though they greatly differ from state compensation laws for other U.S. employees.
FELA regulations allow an injured employee to sue their employer for damages. In order to receive compensation for damages, the worker must be able to prove that the injury was the result of railroad company negligence. Critics claim that FELA regulations place an employee in an adversarial relationship with their employer. Proponents of FELA regulations understand that this law is an effective and appropriate way for railroad workers to receive due compensation for their injuries.
FELA regulations instill a set of duties that must be carried out by railroad employers in order to prevent railroad injury occurrences. FELA regulations require that the railroad work environment be free of safety hazards and unsafe conditions. Employers must regularly inspect the workplace and warn employees of potential dangers even in situations where the employee should be aware of the dangers. FELA regulations also require employers to adequately train all employees, provide sufficient supervision, and assure that safety regulations are followed.
FELA regulations require that employees prove that a breech in these employer duties resulted in the injuries and damages they suffered. An employee must prove that the injuries took place while employed and on the job and that employer negligence caused or contributed to the injury. FELA regulations allow an injured worker, or their family, to seek compensation for related medical expenses, loss of income or earning potential, permanent or partial disability, and psychological suffering.
Compensation for work related injuries is usually much greater under FELA regulations than the regulations governing state-run worker’s compensation systems. FELA regulations, however, do not guarantee compensation for railroad work related injury like other worker’s compensation regulations. Under FELA regulations, compensation is determined by the degree of liability/fault had by the railroad company or employer and the extent of the damages that were suffered by the employee.
If you would like to learn more about FELA regulations, you may wish to contact a FELA lawyer expert who can advise you of your legal rights and options.
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